International Crisis Group announces new board members
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Ni John Fru Ndi says he is feeling great @75
John Fu Ndi, National Chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), the so-called main opposition party in the country has told Cameroon Tribune that he is still in charge of the SDF. In this interview, Fru Ndi says Hon. Osih will lead the SDF if elected.
Could we know how you feel at 75?
Fru Ndi: It is a wonderful experience that is difficult to explain. I have every reason to thank God because at 75, I am still on my feet, reasoning properly and feeling great. Once in a while, I visit cemeteries in Bamenda’s neighborhoods and that is how you know that many people are dying and among them are a lot of young people. That is why I thank God for life since 1941.
What were the topical issues during the NEC Session of July 30, 2016?
Fru Ndi: NEC members spent time discussing attempts by people propagating information to destabilize the SDF. We also deliberated towards the party’s elective convention in 2017. It requires the setting up of commissions and follow-up to ensure that the imminent convention is hitch-free. We also concerted to emerge with solutions for obstacles on the way of the reorganisation of party structures in certain areas.
It is rumoured that you are being lobbied to have the Vice Chairman of the SDF, Hon. Joshua Osih, as the party’s candidate for the next presidential elections.
Fru Ndi: Those propagating such ideas are myopic. SDF procedures are spelt out in its constitution. It is on the floor of the SDF Convention that candidates for presidential elections are chosen. This has been the tradition in the SDF. Candidates have to subject themselves to the laws of the party and I am proud that we have not bent procedure in the SDF, while other political leaders simply declare themselves as candidates.
It is not long that we criticized the CPDM for drumming it that Mr Biya should precipitate Presidential elections and become their presidential candidate. The SDF argued that we cannot precipitated elections in the face of the War against Boko Haram. That is why I cannot make a u-turn and declare Hon. Joshua Osih as SDF’s candidate for the next presidential elections ahead of the elective convention.
The party is not my personal property. If Hon. Joshua Osih wins at the elective convention, he will lead. I am proud that I have led the SDF to emerge as the strongest party in Cameroon in the midst of all sorts of obstacles. It is not time to twist our rules.
Are you concluding that nobody has discussed the above subject with you?
Fru Ndi: Yes, nobody has discussed the subject with me.
Are you surprised that Hon. Joshua Osih has kept sealed lips over the issue? Or, has he talked about it with you?
Fru Ndi: Most of the things are on social media and I do not know if he has been talking about it. However, I know that he will answer or react when the appropriate time comes.
You were in Lebialem Division recently to bury the former Secretary General of the SDF, Prof. Tazoacha Asonganyi whom we know was in a conflicting situation with you before going to the world beyond. What should the public to understand following your outing in Lebialem?
Fru Ndi: The message is that I do not quarrel with dead people. Even if he quarrelled and left the SDF, he did some work for the party that I need to thank him for. The family looked nervous when they saw me in Lebialem but it did not bother me because I was there to bury Prof. Asonganyi and that was done.
Yaounde: South African Ambassador to Cameroon champions blood donation event
South African High Commissioner to Cameroon, Zanele Makina on Friday, July 29, 2016 led the staff of the High Commission, other South Africans resident in Yaounde and members of the general public in Yaounde in a blood-donation event aimed at filling the gap of over 400,000 litres of blood needed to save lives in Cameroon health institutions.
Cameroon’s Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda did not only encourage the gesture championed by the South African High Commission but personally watched High Commissioner, Zanele Makina preach by example by donating her own blood. Prominent government hospitals in the capital city, Yaounde such as the Yaounde Central Hospital (HCY), National Social Insurance Hospital (CNPS), Yaounde University Teaching Hospital (CHUY) and the Yaounde Gynaecology,Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital (HGOPY) all deployed staff and equipment to facilitate the blood donation exercise.
Speaking prior to the blood donation day, Zanele Makina said the event marked the close of activities for the Nelson Mandela International Day 2016. The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared July 18, the day of birth of the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela as the Nelson Mandela International Day to celebrate the sacrifice and commitment of Mandela to the wellbeing of humanity. The South African High Commission in Cameroon therefore uses the celebration to identify a need in the society and contribute in meeting the need during Mandela Day celebrations.
“This year we identified a need that really touches the core of the nation. The issue of blood donation and the scarcity of blood in Cameroon as people need blood in hospitals when they are admitted for injury, child birth and many other diseases that demand blood transfusion,” Zanele Makina explained.
Through the blood donation campaign, she said, South Africa was partnering with Cameroon’s Public Health Ministry to mobilize and educate the community on the need to donate blood freely within the spirit of sacrifice Nelson Mandela demonstrated when he spent 26 years in prison in order to save his people. High Commissioner Makina said they targeted at least 400 people to donate blood and stated that it was “up to the government to know how to manage the blood collected.”
Cameroon Tribune
CRTV: Benn Pufong is Mister News
The new general manager of CRTV has announced technical changes on programs in the corporation. Charles Ndongo recently decreed that the 7:30 and 8:30 news bulletins will henceforth have just one anchor person. Correspondingly, Benn Meno Pufong was appointed to host the 7:30 English language news while Adele Mballa was accorded the 8:30 news in the French language.
The Charles Ndongo order also nominated Atta Badyne Oumar and Esther Kima Tabot to deputize for Benn Pufong and Adele Mballa over the weekends. Ibrahim Cherif, the Chief of Information on national television defended the Ndongo move saying the duo presentation was no longer popular.
Rita Akana (Cameroon Concord News Group)
Biya’s nephew appointed Vice-Governor of BEAC
Abbas Toli has been appointed as the new Governor of the Bank of Central African States, BEAC. The new BEAC Governor, Abbas Toli of Chadian Nationality was appointed by the Head of State of Chad, Idriss Deby Itno. He takes over from Lucas Abaga Nchama. One of President Biya’s nephews, Evou Mekou (seen here) was also appointed vice-governor of BEAC.
Lewis Hamilton wins German Grand Prix
Just about keeping it cool’
Race winner Lewis Hamilton: A big thank you to everyone who has come out. To see so many people here is great. What a race, what a fantastic start. It was just about keeping it cool. This is a very proud position to be in and thank you to the team, who did a fantastic job.
“I didn’t make any mistakes so in my heart I’m happy with what I did. Yesterday was not perfect but you learn from those things.”
Clinton leading Trump by six percentage points
US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is leading her Republican rival Donald Trump by six percentage points, according to a new poll. Nearly 41 percent of likely voters said they favored Clinton, while 35 percent expressed support for Trump, the Reuters/Ipsos poll found.
The bump in the numbers came a day after Clinton formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for the November election at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Clinton, a former first lady, senator and secretary of state, delivered a keynote speech at the Democratic convention on Thursday night, as she became the first female presidential nominee of a major political party. She criticized Trump throughout her nearly hour-long speech, and contrasted her policy agenda against that of her Republican opponent.
Clinton called Trump a threat to America, saying “a man you can bait with a tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons.”Trump criticized Clinton’s upbeat address at the convention, saying he was ready for a fierce battle with her in the race for the White House.
“I’m starting to agree with you, frankly, no more Mr. Nice Guy,” he told his supporters Friday at a campaign event in Colorado. A Gallup poll released earlier this month found that Trump and Clinton are among the worst-rated presidential candidates of the last 70 years.
Presstv
7000 Scots stage anti-Brexit march
Thousands of pro-independence advocates in Scotland have taken to streets in Glasgow against Britain’s decision to leave the EU, demanding another referendum on independence from the UK.
An estimated 7,000 people took part in the anti-Brexit march on Saturday following a new poll that showed there was a greater tendency among Scots towards independence from Britain after the Brexit.
In September 2014, Scottish people voted against Scotland becoming an independent country. Organized by the All Under One Banner group, Saturday’s demonstration started off in the Botanic Garden area with participants waving Saltires, Lion Rampants, Catalan, Irish and Palestinian flags, along with banners describing the post-Brexit UK as “unfettered, undemocratic, uncivilized” and “unhinged.” The demonstrators then marched towards the center of the rally in the heart of Glasgow.
This is while thousands or more people joined the protesters at George Square in Glasgow city center, where they gathered to listen to speeches.
According to the latest poll, a total of 53 percent of those surveyed said they want to remain in the UK. The YouGov poll also found that 47 percent want Scotland to become an independent country.
The poll showed a two-percent rise in Scotland’s inclination for independence since the referendum, in which 55 percent voted to remain in the UK and 45 percent favored independence.
Presstv
Koffi Olomide Affair: Congolese star to remain in police drag net for 15 more days
A Congolese judge has extended the detention of international rumba star, Koffi Olomide for 15 days. Koffi made his first appearance on Friday at the court of first instance at Gombe from a prison cell in Makala where he is being held.
The Congolese star seen here with the President Robert Mugabe had requested bail but Barrister Francis Okito, a strong advocate for women’s rights pressed hard for the demand to be rejected. Koffi Olomide was remanded in custody since July 26, 2016 and has been visited by many Congolese musicians including his wife.
Eto’o agrees deal with Turkish Champions Besiktas
Besiktas have agreed a deal in principle to sign Samuel Eto’o, reports Goal. The Turkish champions are looking to sign a new striker after Mario Gomez, who scored 26 Super Lig goals last season while on loan from Fiorentina, opted against extending his stay at the Vodafone Arena.
Besiktas have since turned their attention to Eto’o and are now trying to thrash out a deal with the striker’s current club Antalyaspor after reaching an agreement with the player. Eto’o scored 20 goals in 31 league games for Antalyaspor in 2015-16, a tally bettered only by Gomez.
The former Barcelona, Inter and Chelsea striker has breathed fresh life into his career after disappointing spells with Everton and Sampdoria during the 2014-15 campaign. Besiktas had previously been linked with a move for out-of-favour Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli after club president Fikret Orman claimed he wanted to join the club.